2 bikers and semi driver recovering after being seriously hurt in crashes

A Greenwich motorcyclist who was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday has been upgraded to serious condition at a Toledo trauma center. A biker in a separate, one-vehicle accident remains in critical condition in a Cleveland hospital.

Joseph A. Mitchell, 49, of 21 E. Main St., is a patient in the neuro-intensive care unit of Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said Monday.

He had been listed in critical condition Sunday, one day after the accident that happened in New Haven Township. Mitchell was driving a 2008 Honda motorcycle down U.S. 224 when Shawna K. Crooks, 23, of 320 Emerald St., Willard, exited a gas station in a 2002 Ford Ranger and entered into his path, causing the accident, troopers said. Crooks, who wasn’t injured, was charged with failing to yield.

Recovering from his injuries in another crash is William Avsec, 51, of Ashland, who remains in critical condition at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, hospital spokeswoman Tina Shaerban-Arundel said Monday.

On Oct. 8, Avsec was driving a 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on Butler Road, which is closed for construction, when he hit an uneven portion of pavement, causing him to lose control of the bike. It overturned and stopped in a ditch, ejecting Avsec, who was wearing eye protection, but not a helmet.

Troopers reported smelling alcohol at the crash site. A blood sample was drawn from Avsec for testing. The results are pending. No citation has been issued in the crash, which remains under investigation.

A third recent accident involved a tractor-trailer which overturned on Ohio 303 near Wakeman on Friday afternoon. The driver, Merle (Les) L. Parker Jr., 63, was listed in critical condition at MetroHealth after the crash. A condition for Parker was unavailable Monday night.